#why does nines look different everytime I draw him

[tommdale]

Reed900 (ft. Gavin’s cats)

↘️ Full page below the break ↙️

[the-fiction-witch]

Books

TV SHOW: THE QUEENS GAMBIT COUPLE: BENNY WATTS X READER  RATING: FUNNY + FLIRTY

I walked down the half broken, foul smelling new york streets. Hearing my heels clacking in the pavement as I walked, the swishing of my petticoats and my dress, the small sun trying to peek through the thick grey clouds. I put my sunglasses in my handbag as I arrived at the tall buildings I saw the beaten up beetle parked in the street and the small handful of parking tickets it had under the wiper blade so I picked them up and sighed turning to look down into the ever stretching darkness of the stairwell. I stepped down trying not to touch the handrail to the first level of little doors with some lights and then down the second stairwell into the dark nothing's, it smells like shit down here. 

I got to the door trying to not touch the gross walls tapping in the door as hard as I could hearing the metal echo through the basement.

The door opened tenderly and careful a first as if trying to peak before it opened fully revealing a barefoot, Benny watts. Stood in his black dirty jeans where he'd clearly wiped his hands down his legs for some reason, his black t shirt with his usual chains, his hand fixing his hair out of his eye with a small smile on his lips 

"Hey you"

"Hey" I smiled briefly stepping inside, as soon as my foot crossed into his apartment he put his hand on my waist and gave my cheek a kiss "move your car" I told him pushing the tickets into his chest he took them and I headed inside slipping my Jacket off and laying it over the chair 

"I'll move it in a bit" he says "coffee?"

"Tea" I Answered "extra milk t-"

"Extra milk two sugars I know" he laughs going over to his kitchen setting the tickets down in a forming pile on his kitchen counter 

"You should pay them"

"I should do a lot of things"

"Pay your parking tickets Benny"

"Suck my dick y/n" he says leaning against the counter looking at me crossing his arms over his chest "we both don't do what the other wants us to"

"You make me suck your dick I'll bite your cock off" I sighed sitting at the table 

"I know, I still have the bite mark from Last time" he sighed bringing the cups over sitting across from me with his coffee instantly I took my little hanki from my handbag and cleaned the top of the cup seeing the white cotton turn grey 

"What is it Benny? What did you summon me to the slums of new york for?"

"Oohh sorry, next time should I request an audience at mi lady's palace?" 

"What do you want Benny before I pour this tea down your pants"

"I need your help"

"... Hu. Never thought I'd hear you say that but go on"

"I need your help with something that only you can help me with"

"Right…"

"I wanna write a book" 

"A book?"

"Yes"

"What kinda of book?"

"One with... words?"

"No shit. Fictional or non fictional?"

"What's the difference?"

"Fictional is a story, non fictional is real life."

"Oh, non fiction"

"Okay, do you have a plot structure"

"A who what?"

"What's the plan for the book Benny?"

"I shall write it. And then I shall publish it." 

"Did you wanna edit it somewhere in the middle there?" I laughed

"Eh, you can do that" 

"Okay… so lemme guess this is a book about you? Or about chess?"

"Little I'd both"

"Who's publishing it?"

"Me?"

"Ohh so you have four thousand dollars laying around do you?" 

"What!"

"If you wanna self publish Benny, the basic level is four thousand dollars and that will get you local distribution if your lucky which is about five states out if that." 

".... Uuuughh, I'll publish through a publisher? Your publisher?"

"Eleanor doesn't take non fiction"

"Then she has to know someone who does? Right?'

"She does but then have to pay for meetings which cost roughly fifty bucks per ten minutes, and you have to get an approved manuscript before they'll even meet you, and even though a publisher for international you’re taking nine to ten thousand. Dollars."

"Uuuuuuughhh, wait. It's a chess book so I could get funding for it from the chess federation"

"Maybe, but then they are going to need to approve it first, and the send to a publisher willing to carry it, and then designing, and editing and printing and stocking which could take over five years" 

"Five years!"

"Yep. The novel world is a slow one Benny" I said "besides that's all publishing stuff, you can worry about that when you have a manuscript"

"A what now?"

"Manuscript is like the… actual book pages and all the words that will be on them"

"Ohh, well that shouldn't be too long, bang it out over a long weekend or something"

"You think you can write a book manuscript over a long weekend? Three days?"

"Yes"

".... Okay, so you wanna write a book? Which for non fiction about chess really a good level would be five or six hundred pages minimum, your going to get it written, edited, and ready to send to the chess federation for approval by Monday morning, even though they might reject it or just plain not fund it, you'll be already one thousand dollars in the red, before you add shipping, handling, copywriting, paying me for editing because I ain't doing that shit for free and as it's currently four pm on a Saturday afternoon and you haven't even writen a word yet"

"Oh."

"Yeah. Oh."

"How long did it take you to write your book?"

"Six years, in and off with a full time job and without an editor"

"I'm fucked aren't I?'

"Not fucked Benny. Overambitious" I laughed "do you have a title?"

"No."

"Do you have a synopsis?"

"No."

"Do you have a typewriter?"

"I was going to write it by hand?"

"With your handwriting?"

"What's wrong with my handwriting?"

"Benny, it looks like a spider learnt cursive and then got drunk"

"I don't own a typewriter. May I borrow yours?"

"No. Buy one"

"There like sixty dollars!"

"I will buy you a pre-owned typewriter"

"Aww thank you sugar"

"How are you intending to pay me for being your editor?"

"... Royalties?"

"Awww Benny darling, if you sell your book for a dollar each you'll be lucky to make 25 cents per book in royalties, less if you go though a publisher, and even less if it's being funded by the federation… you'll maybe get about six pennies if your lucky" I explain 

"Then how the hell do you afford your car? Your house? Your dresses?"

"I sell alot of books Benny"

"I'll give you three pennies if my six pennies royalties?"

"Of your not yet existing book? So I'm just meant to wait and see if I get paid?"

"I'll bake you a cake?"

"You can't cook Benny"

"... I will eat you out?"

"No deal"

"I promise you half of all royalties, editor credit and I'll fuck you as much as you want, now will you please just help me?"

"Fine. I'll be needing a deposit payment" I said 

"Alright, you know where the bedroom is I'll finish my coffee and be there in a sec" 

I sat on the leather chair looking at the handwritten chapter structure Benny had given me "Benny?"

"Yeah?" He asks slightly jumping where he had been sat for so long at his table with his notes and the old typewriter I got for him trying to figure out how he loaded paper in it 

"What is this word?" 

"What word?" He asks 

"The something with something"

"Which chapter?"

"Four?"

"The faults with defense" 

"That is how you write an s?" 

"Yes"

"... How do you not write an s right it's in your name?" 

"No it's not?"

"Yes it is"

"B. E. N. N. Y. No s there?"

"Watts?" 

"Ooohh yeah"

"You fool" 

"Also, does this have a E?"

"No."

"And how am I meant to write a chess book without the letter e? I sort of need it? Chess. Defensive. Queen. Benny."

"Antidisestablishmentarianism" 

"That's a word?"

'"yep"

"Can you use it in a sentence?"

"Screw you bitch I can spell antidisestablishmentarianism" 

"A.n.t.i.d.i.s.t?"

"Nope"

"Damn it" he sighed "but I need e how am I meant to write chess without an e?"

"Write an o and then draw a line in the middle?" 

"Fine" he said starting to type one key at a time "Openings… and… tactics… by… Benny… watts" he said but the typewriter had got to the end of the spool "y/n! Why won't it type!"

"Benny just… ughh come here you child" I sighed getting up going over and moving the spool back to the centre so he could write "there. You have to do that at the end of each line"

"Really?"

"Yep. Isn't writing fun" I smiled kissing his head 

I sat listening to the clicking and clacking of his typewriter keys, sounded like music to my ears in his quiet dark and cold apartment

"Fuck!" He yelled breaking me from my relaxation as he stopped

"What?" I asked

"How do I undo?" He sighed rubbing his eyes 

"You can't what happened Benny?" 

"I typed porn instead of pawn" he sighed resting his head in his hands

"You fool" I giggled "you wanna know how we fix mistakes Benny?" I giggled going over wrapping my arms around his neck 

"We we write the whole page?" 

"Nope. White out" I smiled handing him the shall bottle 

"Fuck! That smells like paint"

"Ehh pretty much is"

"Thank you y/n"

"Your welcome" I smiled giving his head s kiss "call me when chapter one is done I'm going for a shower" 

"Uuuuhhh… yeah I'll do that" he says not sounding confident 

"How close to finished are you with chapter one?"

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhhhhhhhh… next week sound good?"

"And you could bang out a whole book in a weekend" I laughed sitting back on the chair 

"I said I'm sorry! I didn't know it was this hard" he says 

I sat the other side of the table with my lovely blue pen, my leg over my knee, smirking slightly at him as Benny sat on the other side his hands to his face watching me Intently, panic in his eyes everytime he saw me use the blue pen, which I was having to do alot. 

"Here" I said throwing it back to him now I was done "you should probably re write that's a little too much editing for white out watts"

"What's wrong with this?" He asks as he looked over the page 

"You used the wrong there"

"I hate you. Beyond words can express." 

[dana-chan-the-control-brain]

Hey, do you have anymore thoughts on Membrane's parents? I know we only got a brief glimpse of them, but they're so interesting yet there's so little fan content about them. That, or I'm looking in the wrong place haha.

Ps. If I am looking in the wrong tags or place could you please direct me to the right ones?

Ah, I talked a little bit about Membrane’s parents here during my first ramblings of the quarterly and I did talk a little about that headcanon here but I might as well repeat it again. 

Like I do find it interesting, the idea that his parents are scientists. Like Membrane tried following in his parents’ footsteps and unintentionally put that pressure onto Dib as he grew up... but for me personally, there’s just a lot of reasons this doesn’t make sense.

Like Why is adult Professor Membrane the brand and face of Membrane Labs and Membrane Enterprises when it was apparently a company he inherited from his parents? Of course, it could be that Membrane did make Membrane Labs himself and his parents were just scientists and Membrane Labs wasn’t really founded, but that makes less sense.

I always kinda viewed Membrane as someone who appreciated the value and effort of hard work ethic and built everything from the ground up with his bare hands and became the World Famous Man of Science all his own and it was his Legacy. Kinda like Scroodge McDuck and his fortune. Making Membrane inherit a company from his parents kinda loses a bit for me for him as a character. 

Why did his Parents give him socks for Christmas and claim it was from Santa? They know what Uranium238 is. I’m certain of that. It could have been a Christmas Story situation like “you’ll shoot your eye out kid” but Santa is the one who gives their kids the “cool gifts” I thought every parents knew that. It’s just one of those unspoken rules...... but like... to give him socks...

Like were they really that cruel? It’s kinda hard to say...  But it does kinda paint a bad image that they did have 100% the capabilities to give him what he wanted for Christmas... and they never bothered to explain to Membrane WHY he was given socks. 

LIKE LOOK, THESE TWO FUCKS LEAVE MEMBRANE IN THE DARK FOR YEARS ABOUT THE TRUTH OF SANTA CLAUS JUST CAUSE THEY DON’T WANT TO ADMIT THEY FUCKED UP, EVEN WHEN HE PROBABLY WENT TO FAR:

I can only assume that these two science parents are dead, just from how Membrane regards them when he holds that photoframe...(and the fact that we never see them) but honestly, they were probably still around when he was a teenager and still dedicating a portion of his life to destroying santa...

I know Membrane is as thick-headed and stubborn as Dib, so maybe they tried to explain it to him, and Membrane didn’t listen, or his parents suck at explaining things... but like.... come on...  it’s your direct responsibility for unleashing this childhood santa trauma/rage....  You owe it to Membrane to be direct with him... 

But then again, Dib never listens when his Dad tries to explain what he thinks about Aliens, Cause Membrane doesn’t Not believe in aliens. He in fact says so in the show.

So perhaps they were and he just didn’t listen... there’s that...

Why is this family so obsessed with seeking the truth, but don’t listen to anyone’s opinions who are different from their own.... sigh this family.

But in any point, they could have at least said why they can’t give him Uranium238... but if they do, it’s off-screen and no further context is provided to the audience... 

It just makes sense for me that either Membrane’s family is poor, or they didn’t know what Uranium238 is... Making his Parents be scientists as well just throws a whole bunch of questions about just.... everything about this situation. It really makes me ask:

“Did his parents not give it to him because it was dangerous?”

“Or did they give him socks cause they were that unaware of what their son wanted?”

“Did they just give him socks cause they were that cruel as Membrane didn’t want to believe?” 

“If so, why socks? Why not a rocket ship or a science playset or baking volcano kit or something?” 

It just raises a whole lot more questions.

A more simple explanation that gets rid of those questionable morale questions is that his Parents were poor from a humble upbringing and could only afford him socks for Christmas. It’s a more logical and simple explanation and it’s far more cleaner than having his parents be scientists in this. 

Another thing that bothers me is Membrane’s “childhood home” in general. Look at this place:

This huge place, with a giant rocket ship, dressed to the nines in Christmas decorations.

It also very clearly shows the interior. 

We see the living room couch, and multiple Christmas trees and this huge rocketship/missle thing front and center.

And if we compare it to Membrane’s childhood home in the Invader Zim episode this is supposed to be taking place in:

Now I know that the Invader Zim show has a darker color palate than the comics and even the Netflix movie, but I’m not talking about colors here...

A smaller tree that practically touches the ceiling, Fluorescent overhead lighting,  something that looks like a couch or a side table with noticeable stains on it... garland pinned to the walls with a lower ceiling... 

This looks NOTHING at all like how Membrane’s “childhood home” is like in the comics...

This is obviously not a wealthy home, or the home of a respected enterprise as shown in the comics. 

Now, I know this franchise has a thing for inconsistencies. Canon is basically non-canon. There is no continuity, and there is no continuous timeline of events... but to model Professor Membrane’s childhood home so vastly different from this brief flash in the show, that’s a pretty big one... 

So me and @paketdimensioncomic made a theory that can kind of coincide with our fics... 

We think that 

SUPER PERFECT SCIENTIST PARENTS.....  are what Membrane wishes his parents were probably like.

And that he lied to the press about his humble origins and upbringing. He didn’t want them to know that he grew up poor because it would be something constantly brought into question everytime he posed everything... He didn’t want his parents talked about in the media at all, especially if they were passed by the time he became successful. 

So... I think Membrane’s scientist parents are an elaborate lie. He told the press. I mean, He is a scientist, he always wanted to be a scientist, he is good at being a scientist and both of his parents were scientists...

I mean... He didn’t seem too concerned about the photo of his supposed parents.. he even threw it to the wall when his son called:

RIP parents.... he hardly knew you.

Do I think the Membrane Science Grandparents have a cool design and I want to see more fan content on them? Absolutely! Go nuts!

Do I think that Membrane’s parents being scientists makes little to no sense and was just kinda made for the sake of a dumb joke without giving too much thought about how it would lessen Membrane as a character if he were just leaching off his parent's success this whole time? And does it poke a lot of holes in the idea of why his parents gave him socks as santa at all? Absolutely.

I think it’s far more likely that Membrane built up this backstory of “I was always a scientist since birth” to the press and has more fake photoshopped photos around the house to show the press when the topic of his parents actually come up.

Basically, the fandom has been around for a long time you can do what you want with Membrane parent theories because as far as I’m concerned, I always appreciated the vibe of “Poor upbringing Membrane who learned the value of hard work and unintentionally became a workaholic because of it and really put too much value in work to the point he’s unintentionally neglectful towards his own offspring the same as his father was to him” 

Rather then.... “Science parents go brrr”

But again, just my headcanon.

And I always love people drawing the science parents. 

But @esthyradler‘s Farmer Membrane Parents are definitely my favorites. 

[quirrrky]

strange

secret lovers (tumblr thread | fanfiction.net)

Chronological One-Shots / Post-War / Pre-Last 

After the Fourth Shinobi War, Naruto’s huge crush on Hinata gradually surfaces and the whole village of Konoha knows it…Well, aside from him. 

entry nine

Prompt:

Hinata started helping Naruto with his studies under Iruka-sensei's supervision. Naruto realizing that his friendship with Hinata is strange.

/strange/ unusual or surprising in a way that is unsettling or hard to understand

"Uzumaki Naruto! I, the Sixth Hokage, hereby grant you the rank jounin of Konoha…That is what I'd like to tell you, but there's something you must complete before that…"

Stock of books appeared before him.

Pfft! As if he would be able to recall any of it.

To be fair, Naruto wasn't exactly dumb. Let us say that academics wasn't exactly his strongest suit and this Philosophy, Psychology and Rhetorics and why was he even studying them again?

Were you going to really use this stuff in practical terms?

What did these things have to do with being a Hokage?

All those stuff were practically irrelevant and he still didn't understand why did he have to study these when he should be focusing on learning new jutsu instead?

Well, that's more applicable and rational, right?

Oh Kami! It was boring. It had already been few months since Kakashi-hokage-sensei came up with the bright idea and Iruka-sensei decided to help and personally instruct him with his studies, but it felt like a year. Plus, writing with his left hand wasn't exactly easy. For months, he'd been trying to do things all by himself, but there were just those stuff that he couldn't do alone.

Outside the birds chirped merrily. The sun was thawing what's left of the previous season that it didn't even look like it snowed.

His mind wandered off to what other fun things he could be doing if the odds were just different.

Hmmm…. He could enjoy training Konohamaru with the other technics that can be done with Rasengan. And then, they'll have ramen afterwards, which reminded him that Kiba challenged him to an eating competition. In speaking of Kiba, he wondered what was Hinata doing, he had to show her what progress he had made with just his left arm.

Yes, that's right!

If he managed to write legibly using his left hand, he now has another thing to show to her.

"Naruto!" Iruka-sensei called as he approached from the blackboard to his direction.

"Iruka-sensei,"

"I would like to congratulate you for your quarter report." He said as his student's eyes sparkled in success and started shouting for joy. "Yes, yes, as I thought you would behave like that,"

The blonde then excitedly bombed his teacher questions, while enthusiastically jumping up and down, "Hmph! I told you I can do it dattebayo! Does this mean I'm going to be a jonin now? What's next am I going to be trained as the hoka-"

"What I mean was I'm congratulating you for your consistency."

His energy was drained a little bit. Well, consistency seemed to be a positive word. "Well, it doesn't matter at least I'm getting there -ttebayo!"

"Oh no! No, Naruto. What I really meant was I'm congratulating you for your consistency in failing."

Naruto was taken aback momentarily. He couldn't believe, he couldn't believe-

"How could you kid like that Iruka-sensei?!"

Iruka just pinched the bridge of his nose, while thinking of a way to explain the matters to his student, "You see, Naruto. I really don't know how to explain that you need to give importance to these subjects to become Hokage. Shikamaru won't be able to assist you for now as he has to help Kakashi in diplomatic missions. And all there's left was me and I am already doing my best, but it seemed like none of these lessons was going through your head."

The student fell silent for a while. He was trying but, "I don't really see the importance of this Philosophy stuff as a shinobi or whatever."

"See! Naruto, our subject right now is not Philosophy it's Psychology!"

"I don't know! What the hell is the difference anyway. Well, yeah, the spelling. I get it!"

Iruka paused for a moment and examined his student. He was standing with a slumped shoulder, hand inside his pocket, head was lowered down and he was sporting an evident pout.

He sighed. Naruto was still Naruto after being the hero of Konoha. It was a good thing and there were also apparent changes in his behavior like he would just choose to daydream than butt in with non-sense remarks, but Iruka knew that he had to mature in vital aspects. He had to develop and he had to start now. Naruto was already seventeen and it would only be few years before he should be developed into a fine young man that the Yondaime, his father, could be proud of. And what kind of teacher was he if he couldn't guide his growth.

Right now, Iruka was wondering how could he, for the very least, jumpstart his student's journey to maturity. Reluctantly, he released his student, who in every way, was in no mood to continue the lessons.

Feeling a bit despondent, Iruka stood by the swing, where he usually saw the young child back then when the whole village still used to criticize him.

He drew a heavy sigh.

Naruto really carved his own path to his dreams now. It's an open secret among them ninjas that Kakashi would sit as the Hokage only to train and pass the title to his student. Now, it would only be a matter of few years before Naruto would become the Hokage and the first step to the transition must be through him.

Well, if his student can do it, he can as well, right?

He just needed some unexpected way to encourage his unexpected student to study.

Yeah, but what would that be though?

Iruka started walking to the Training Grounds as he tried figure out what would enlighten Naruto to give the subjects some importance.

"Our team can no longer have an alone time now, you idiot!" The Inuzuka's voice caught his attention and he glanced towards the shinobi's direction, not shocked to find that he was, again, bantering with Naruto. However, Iruka was a bit interested as the fights between the two can get humorous at times.

"Shut up you, dog face! I'm not talking to you." The blonde threw back, but he instantly turned away and faced the giggling Hyuga with his cheeky grin.

"Look Hinata!" Naruto said as he showed her a notebook, "I can draw now with my left hand dattebayo! Look at here, that's Kurama then these are the other stuff and look! Right there! I tried to draw you as well."

Hinata blushed at the thought that Naruto drew a somewhat mini version of herself. But, she scrapped the thought away, because he drew many other doodles as well, including a cup of instant ramen.

"Show off!" The brunette muttered, as Shino added, "You must be forgetting that I'm here," but went unnoticed.

"I did that during Iruka-sensei's lectures on those boring subjects."

"Naruto-Kun! That's-"

The blonde chuckled quite guiltily. "Don't worry, don't worry. Next time! I'll just try to focus on writing and I'm going to show it to you, Hinata! I'll write all that notes in that darn boring book -ttebayo!" Naruto proudly proclaimed.

"Okay, Naruto-kun. Just write notes alright?" She said softly. Hold on! What did Naruto say?

Iruka suddenly felt the light shining through him. His prayers must have been answered.

"Your stupidity makes me sick! Whatever you do, you still have one arm, so don't act so cool and tough as if you will impress Hinata with that!"

"You talk too much for someone who takes a bath with his dog, bastard!"

The fight went on and soon the blonde summoned his clones and the brunette prepared with his dog-nin, while the dark-haired girl stood watching and giggling.

Hopefully, the gods were with him in this uncanny plan. Iruka admittedly knew nothing of this kind of things, but if what he read from his silver-haired friend's books were somehow right, his plan could probably work.

Before he left the now crazy yet petty battle between his two notorious students, a sudden presence made him stop and quite weirded out at the same time.

Sai. He was sitting on a sturdy branch of tree with a sketchpad and paintbrush in hand. He never became his student, but he was the new member in Naruto's team and he heard a lot of stories about him, especially those that involved nicknames and studying people carefully.

"He has, recently, always been like this with the Princess after all." Sai flashed him with his signature stiffened smile as if he knew exactly what Iruka was thinking.

Iruka made sure to give Naruto a small pep talk before he entered the classroom for their next meeting.

"A classmate dattebayo?"

"Yes, it would be a great help for you, Naruto."

Naruto pouted and looked away. He couldn't understand why did he had to have a classmate with all honesty. Did he also want to become a Hokage like him as well?

Upon entering the most dreaded four walls, the shinobi was greeted by a familiar face.

"Hi-Hinata?" He asked, shocked yet happy to see Hinata as his classmate.

"Naruto-kun," she greeted with a sweet smile as the blonde sat beside her.

"You-you've come to save me here dattebayo?!" He said and ran up to her, grabbing her arm in excitement.

Hinata blushed at his actions, but find it hard to explain things to him, "About that Naruto-kun…"

"Naruto, Hinata would be filling in everytime Shikamaru wouldn't make it to assist you with our lessons." Iruka-sensei informed them as the dark-haired girl gave him an apologetic smile.

Naruto's shoulders fell off and he heavily sat on the chair beside Hinata, "I couldn't believe this. How could you this to me, Hinata?" He reacted animatedly that made the girl laugh softly.

"Naruto-kun," she said while softly laughing.

"There you go, you're laughing at me." He said and gave a pout afterwards.

"Naruto, you should know that when it comes to studies Hinata was a forerunner in your class back then. Her grades came in close competition to that of Shikamaru, Sasuke and Ino." Iruka thought about this seriously. He even searched for his students' records to check the stats. The result made him wonder why Hinata and Naruto weren't even in the same team when the two would definitely complement each other really well. The Hyuga girl was excellent in everythinng Naruto failed and his blonde student was great at one thing Hinata failed, Positivity.

This news delighted Naruto for a moment, but his reaction went a downward slope.

These academics were not his game and Hinata was an A-Grade student, while he was a big failure back then and even now. He didn't want to disappoint her yet how could he do that when he still didn't know why he had to study all this shit?

Hinata knew that look. Although there were times wherein he would try to hide it, these were the moments that Naurto-kun needed to be encouraged. She knew how he preferred action than sitting down in a classroom and how he'd rather remember things by relating them to events in his life. And she knew that he was having a hard time right now.

"I'm here to help you, Naruto-kun. So don't worry, okay? I-I believe in you."

Her sweet smile at him made him reciprocate the expression. However still a bit embarrassed by his lack of knowledge, he rubbed the back of his head, eyes chinked in his usual way, "I don't know how to say this, Hinata, but, uhm, I don't really know much about these things. Heck, I don't even know why should I study these."

"I understand that you might not yet grasp the importance of these subjects, but soon I know you will. I believe in you Naruto-kun and I will help you. We can do this to-together."

Yes, that's right. He will show her that he can and make her proud. He always wanted to make her proud and he'll continue to do so in his studies, even if he still didn't know why was he so motivated by that thought.

"Thank you, Hinata, for standing beside me up until now." Naruto said, while he hoisted his fist, feeling the determination.

The blushing girl, being reminded by the bond they had during the war, was further moved to help the blonde with his studies. She put her hands down the desk and stood up, "Yes, Naruto-kun, because I never go back on my word."

"That's right, Hinata. Let's do this!"

Iruka just scratched the non-existent itch on his head as he watched his students' dramatic display of encouragement. As he began the discussion, he noticed how the two had an uncanny understanding. Hinata was quick to pick up Naruto's frustration and she had a way in explaining the lessons to him. How was she doing that? No one could learn. But being able to hold Naruto's attention and comprehension for that long, Hyuga Hinata must be an expert.

"Re-reward system?" The blonde asked the dark-haired girl.

"Hmmm… You-you love Ramen right, Naruto-kun?" Naruto nodded in response and she continued, "And whenever you are in a tiring mission or feeling a bit down, you'll just think of ramen and it will light up your spirit, right?"

"Yes! Yes! And so…"

"And a reward is something that you look forward to and-or feel delighted about which means that for Naruto-kun…."

"For me… then ramen is a reward!"

"Exactly, then the reward system is…"

"Ah! Ah! I got this. I believe, I got this! The motivation I'm getting from the ramen is the reward system dattebayo!"

"Right! That's right Naruto-kun, the reward system is about the reward, how it motivates you, the kind of motivation you get from it and the choice we make because of it."

"Ah, so that was it. It was like Kakashi-sensei and his Icha Icha books, although I didn't really see what's to look forward about it and how does reading a boring book like that could be motivational."

Hinata, knowing what the books were all about, was a bit taken aback. "Uhmm…Tha-that's…Maybe we can have another example like…"

"I know! I know! Must be Sakura-chan to Sasuke. I-Is that a…" Naruto rubbed his chin in deep thought as Hinata tried to figure out how to properly cite examples.

"Well, I-I can't speak for Sakura-chan, but what I know is that rewards come in different forms. It could be through an activity like cooking, knitting or singing. It could also be through something. It could also be through a place. And…" She paused for a while, voice going softer while she fiddled her fingers together, "It-it could also be through someone or somebody."

"Somebody?"

"Yes, maybe just like Naruto-kun to the village or being the Hokage?" Hinata stated in question-sounding manner for she really wasn't sure if Naruto-kun was still motivated by that.

"Well, about that. Being, a Hokage, yes. Plus, I'm really happy that the village is nicer to me. It's just that there's this something strange that I couldn't point out to, uh," Trying to veer the frustration away, he chuckled and asked, "Well, I think, let's just talk about you Hinata. What's the reward for you? Something like ramen for me."

"W-well, I like Zenzai and cin…" She trailed off, averting her eyes from the sight of the energetic blonde.

"Oh! I like Zenzai too!"

"Yeah, but I don't think that it's like your ramen for me."

"Then, what's yours, Hinata?"

"It's k-kind of s-strange, Naruto-kun, because…" It's you.

"I understand, Hinata. Uh, what about this Dopamine thing?"

Iruka-sensei cut his question, saying that he wouldn't get what it was anyway and proceeded to give his own examples and with the next topic. The discussion was beginning to have a life. Naruto's behavior around Hinata made him pay attention more. Iruka noticed that he'd keep himself awake, whenever the discussion was getting sleepy and Hinata was there to back the topic up with some stories to keep him from falling asleep.

Perhaps, a lot of things happened during the war. Iruka hadn't seen them this close all throughout their academy days, for the knucklehead always had his eyes set towards Haruno Sakura, trying to pull-off pranks just to catch her attention. However, Naruto's determination right now was a bit different from how he wanted to please the pink-haired girl. It seemed that, now, Naruto was inspired to be the best that he can be. Even if he still couldn't quite understand what the discussion was for, he was trying and Hinata's presence was a big factor for the motivation. Iruka took note of the grin Naruto gave the shy student when he answered a question correctly. It was as if he was seeking her acknowledgement, which she immediately gave through a demure thumbs up.

As promised, Naruto took patience in writing the notes legibly with his left hand. He told Hinata the about it the last time and even swore on writing the boring notes. However, he couldn't help but feel conscious around her. The way she'll highlight the books for him, her stories and ideas. He just liked all of it! Like, how something so boring like this could be so fun with her? If he only knew, he could've seated next to Hinata during their academy days, which reminded him…

Why weren't we close back then, anyway?

Soon, Iruka called it a day with a great deal of relief evident on his face. He was making an improvement.

"Hey Hinata! Where are you heading?" Naruto asked enthusiastically.

"I'm heading home."

"Are you going to do something?"

"Hmmm… No-Nothing really."

"Is it okay if we study more?" He was flashing that trademark grin he always had that made Hinata quite flustered.

"Ye-Yes, tha-that would be okay."

Iruka didn't miss it. For the first time, he saw Naruto willing to study extensively. Well, he also didn't miss the side glances Naruto was giving Hinata in between lessons and those side glances contained a sly smile.

Who knew what Naruto was thinking?

"Kagebunshin no jutsu!" The blonde summoned clones as Hanabi lunged forward with her byakugan ready.

Naruto surely got the storm with him when he entered the calm and peaceful Hyuga compound. At first, he was in awe to see how grand and massive the manor was. No wonder why Hinata was called, Hinata-sama all this time. That made him wonder if he should call her such as well.

Perhaps, some other time he'd ask her.

"Ugh! Not again!" The brunette Hyuga grunted while her opponent followed her neechan inside the hall.

"Hanabi, I'm sorry. Naruto-kun and I have to study." Her sister said as the blonde laid out his stuff on the table and began sitting cross-leggedly. The younger Hyuga pouted and stuck her tongue out to the blonde, who just scratched the back of his head apologetically.

"Hold on, neechan! You promised to cook some afternoon snacks for today."

"Yes, I remembered. Don't worry I will prepare some for us."

"Oh! You go ahead, Hinata! I'll start with writing notes for these pages first, so we can head straight to discussion after you cook -ttebayo!"

"Okay, then, I'll head to the kitchen. Hanabi, make sure Naruto-kun is at home, okay?"

Her younger sister proudly announced, "Don't worry, neechan! I got you covered."

"Yeah, just don't mind me, Hinata!"

As soon as her sister proceeded to the kitchen, Hanabi sat facing the blonde with a mischievous grin on her face. "Are you sure you're here to study?"

"Eh?! What else should I do here? Your home seemed so quiet and kinda' boring. Although, I really admired that you have your own training grounds and training hall in here. Plus, the ambience is really good for some meditation."

"Pfft. Oh, really? You sure you're not here just to hang out with my sister a little bit longer?" He dry gulped at her comment and his fingers flinched, surely Hanabi didn't miss that.

Got 'ya!

"Well, I love hanging out with Hinata! She's really fun to be with."

Hanabi tapped her fingers on the table, while she rested her chin on her other hand. "So?"

"So, what? Huh?" Naruto just tilted his head in confusion as Hanabi sighed her lungs out.

"We've got a long way to go." She muttered, while the blonde started jotting down notes. Hmph! If not only for my neechan…

Naruto couldn't believe that he was writing down notes. Back then, he was just so lazy to do so that had him sleeping during the class, but right now he just couldn't believe that he can do it. Well, Hinata must see the improvement in his penmanship using his left hand. He promised her that. From all of that though, he still was not able to fathom where was the determination to make Hinata proud of him coming from?

It was not long enough before Hinata entered the hall with a cooked meal in tow. She placed it atop the table and the blonde's senses immediately caught up with the delicious aroma of the dish.

"This is Yakisoba, Naruto-kun." She informed him after noticing his dumbfounded expression on the dish. He looked at her with those blue eyes, with her not knowing it is filled with admiration. Not knowing that, at that moment, he was wondering how amazing she was.

She didn't seem to notice his stupid stare, but her little sister did and she didn't even know how to feel about it. Happy, because her neechan was already being noticed by the boy she admired for so long. Annoyed, because the said boy couldn't notice that he was already admiring her sister.

Her neechan sat beside him and he still had the dumb look on his face, wide eyes and parted lips, while looking at her sister. Her sister started giving him some food on his plate, but he just looked at her as if his soul was fleeting.

"Are you okay Naruto-kun? You-you don't seem well."

He was jolted at her neechan's question and started to move frantically. His nervousness was apparent to the younger Hyuga. "I-I-I'm really okay. I guess I'm just hungry that's all. I mean you do cook really well and it's amazing actually. You're amazing!" He word-vomited that made the heat on Hinata's face spread like wildfire across her cheeks and left him speechless for several seconds.

Hanabi quickly cut through their awkward stare-fest and the three of them quickly began eating in silence.

Naruto confidently took out the chopsticks showing that he could already manage eating on his own. Hanabi, seeing the lack of progress between her neechan and that stupid Naruto decided to take matters on her hands. As he was about to bring the noodles for consumption, the younger Hyuga lightly bumped the table with her knees causing Naruto to drop the noodles he carefully stuck on his chopsticks back to his bowl again.

He looked at Hanabi, confused. He knew she was just acting like she didn't know what she did. Naruto was about to call on her, when Hinata asked him, "What's wrong Naruto-kun?"

"Ah! It's nothing -ttebayo!" he responded cheerfully as he got few noodles in between his chopsticks and started to lift it up, but another bump rendered him to fail.

He snapped his head up planning to ask what the hell was wrong with Hanabi, when she immediately caught up and retorted, "Maybe niisan's hand is already tired of writing."

Naruto was about to protest, but Hanabi continued, while twirling her kunai around her index finger, "I think you need to help him eat, neechan."

He thought over the idea quite carefully before speaking this time. He glanced at Hinata, whose cheeks were dusted with pink. He was used to see her blushing like this after all the time he spent with her. It was something that he found weird at first, but now, it was something that made him chuckle inwardly.

"I-I'll help you." She said as she grabbed the bowl in one hand and the chopsticks with the other. Naruto faced her, but he suddenly felt the impulse to avoid her gaze.

She lifted the chopsticks towards his direction, but their cross-sitting position made it hard for her to avoid spilling the food. "Neechan, I think you should move closer."

Hinata gave her a sly glare before doing so.

"Closer, neechan." Hanabi said in a sing-song manner and Hinata made sure that her little sister got the message clearly by giving her sharp side glance.

Hanabi, getting the sense of defeat, stood up and went near the two. "The space is still far away, you should really move closer."

That's it! Hinata knew what her sister was setting them up to tease her with Naruto-kun. And as she was about to call her on it, it was the boy who moved closer to her. She looked at him disbelievingly and, as if everything was on slow motion, he raised his head to meet her eyes with a smile slowly forming on his face.

Her world stopped. She had never seen him smile like that before and Naruto had different smiles. The cheeky smile, the proud smile, the embarrassed smile, and many others that she witnessed. But right now it was, strange. She had never seen that smile from him. Not when she looked at Sakura-chan, to Sai-kun, to Shikamaru-kun or just basically to anyone. However, it was a smile she was familiar with, but it wouldn't be possible that he did so because…

Hinata shook the thought away. She was daydreaming again and jumping into conclusions.

Hanabi saw that look on Uzumaki Naruto's eyes, his smile and everything about it. Silently, she slid open the door and went out. She suddenly find it so difficult to breathe. She saw that look on the knucklehead's face on her sister's magazines, by the way the authors described how a man looks at his woman in her sister's books and by how the films showed it. Before, Hanabi used to laughed at how ridiculous it was, kept on believing that it wasn't true. But that look on that stupid blonde's face said it all, and he gave that to her sister! She bit her lower lip trying to fight her tears from falling.

She could feel it.

Her neechan's slipping away.

It was bound to happen.

She's going to lose her.

She's going to lose her to him.

Nevertheless, she wanted her neechan to be happy. All this time, it was very rare to see her smile, but that idiot was obviously making a difference. Not just to her sister, but also to the dull silence of their clan. Ever since he came here, even if it was just for few hours, Hanabi didn't feel alone in being the one lacking cool, calm and reserved nature in their family. At least, she didn't have to act composed while he was here and soon the compound will get used to him and probably will never notice her mischievous nature.

Yes, that's right! Plus, her neechan and that boy were really interesting together. She swore on playing a big part on bringing them together and she wouldn't back down. But before Hanabi walked away to study more stuff in her room, she could not deny the feeling that there were several byakugan watching her sister. And that was the day she knew, that she wasn't the only one interested.

"Wow! This really tastes great dattebayo!" Naruto complimented as Hinata just finished feeding him with a bowl of Yakisoba that she prepared.

Deep inside, Hinata was very happy. Recently, she was blessed to have moments like this with Naruto-kun and how she wished they could continue to get closer and get to know each other more. Being with him, made her feel like it's okay to be herself. It's not that she wasn't comfortable being with her teammates, but being with Naruto-kun was a different kind of happiness and she knew the reason behind it.

"Th-thank you, Naruto-kun." She said, trying to be more confident by starting to look at his face. Right at the corner of his lips, she noticed a stray cut of cabbage. Without giving any thought, Hinata wiped away the residue with her curled index finger.

Her skin lightly touched his lips.

Naruto's breath was caught in his chest. The mere contact sent shivers running down his spine. His mind going blank for a second.

This feeling.

Ever since the war ended, he'd been getting this feeling from her.

It was something he couldn't explain, yet it didn't feel unfamiliar.

It was just there.

It felt good, it felt right.

He wanted to hold her hand and feel if it would be there again, just to check. Without a doubt, he did so. Naruto held Hinata's hand that was now resting on her lap. Her heart jumped and her gaze shoot up at him, confused at what he did. His clueless eyes were telling her that he didn't know as well. Naruto wanted to ask her, if this weird yet happy feeling was normal. If it was real and if she was getting the same too. Because he had never felt such way and he didn't know how to identify it, it was…

"Strange…You-you are sort of strange, Hinata… I mean, uh," He panicked knowing that he was not sounding the way he must sound. On one hand, Hinata couldn't help but feel a bit down. Did he really find her…

"No! No! What I mean is I couldn't call you a best friend because it's for Sasuke and Sakura-chan and it's just different. I don't know you-you are sort of a-my strange friend that is. Strange in a good way! Like, uh, what word could that be?" Naruto glanced at the table beside him, there laid the open notebook to where he was writing. "S-special! That can be right. Right, Hinata?"

Special?

She could feel the drumming of her heart getting louder and louder. Could Naruto-kun be…

"Then you're like a special kind of friend to me, Hinata –ttebayo! But, err, isn't that all friends are special? I don't know, but it's just different. This is so strange…" Naruto continued with an incorrigible mumbling, certainly feeling all confused with what was happening. The same could be said to Hinata, who was lost in her own thoughts as Naruto-kun was not only holding her hand right now, he just said she was special.

"S-special?" She asked almost breathlessly, while the blonde chuckled his usual way.

"Well, it's strange, huh. Yeah, special..." Naruto didn't know why he was feeling a bit embarrassed by the word special. I mean Hinata was his friend so something must not be wrong about it. It was just that she's his strange kind of friend and up until now he was slightly bothered as to why.

"W-well, Na-Naruto-kun is s-special too." She said, red-faced and avoiding his dumb-founded stare.

Naruto felt happy when she said that. It was as if he was being rewarded. It was one of the nicest he'd ever felt about and it put to rest all of his confusions. Well, if Hinata thinks so too, then I think there's nothing wrong with what I feel.

"Neechan!" Hanabi entered and soon the scene dawned in her.

That Naruto was holding her sister's hand and he looked like he just woke up or something and her neechan! She was red as the carnations in their garden.

Damn it! Did she get in the wrong time? Were they finally happening?

"Ha-Hanabi!" Her neechan called out of a panic and the younger Hyuga noticed how she immediately pulled her hand away from the blonde's grip.

Hmph! Realizing that there was still no progression between the two, Hanabi didn't pass up the opportunity to tease her sister, something that she found to be amusing and really fun to do lately. "You sure, you two are studying?"

"O-Of course, dattebayo!" Naruto said as he had awoken from his trance and started preparing the books for discussion.

Hanabi sat right beside her sister, "Right, right." And whispered clearly into Hinata's ear, "You sure are studying each other quite diligently, isn't neechan?"

[amplesalty]

Day 9 - All I Want for Christmas Is You (2017)

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Nine Christmas cookies!

Did I say wholesome? Because clearly I meant boring. Boooooooooooooooring.

Still, I can't help but feel partially responsible for this film. Back in 2016 when I watched another film of a similar name (which was also the 9th entry for the month, spooky), I joked that that wasn't someone's attempt at making a movie based of the Mariah Carey song. Apparently someone took that to mean a challenge and by Christmas 2017 we had this...thing.

How does one adapt a thirteen year old song into a movie? Well, this is a movie about love, Mariah's first love. Clearly that song speaks of a great passion that she feels for that person...only this isn't about a person. It's about something cuddly, with fuzzy ears and a little red nose. Firstly, I'm pretty sure none of the dogs in this movie have a red nose. I don't think any dog ever has had a red nose. Secondly, I don't think anyone has considered the possibility of that song being about a dog.

But, looking over the lyrics, there's nothing too untoward in it when you put it into this context. "I'm just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe" and "I just want you here tonight holding on to me so tight" are the closest you can get and they're pretty tenuous.

So yeah, this is about a young Mariah wanting a dog for Christmas. An animated Mariah who is apparently really good at ice skating, good enough that she can draw things on the ice. I know people make ice sculptures but is drawing on the ice with ice skates a thing? She really wants a dog for Christmas, not least because her friends are doing a dog based fashion parade...thing, and she needs one to take part. But everytime she asks for one, her parents just say no.

Why not just ask your friend here for one? I mean, he is pretty plainly Harry Potter, he can probably just magic one up for you.

Or you can just do the age old childhood trick of going around each and every one of your family members until someone gives in. Mariah's Granny seems to be relenting and takes her to the pet store where a cute little doggy called Princess is picked out for her. Is Mariah's granny here black? I suppose it's to tie in her mixed heritage which I guess a lot of people miss since she just looks white. Rest of the family in this is white AF so seems a little odd.

If anything, young Mariah looks really tanned next to the rest of them.

Even Mariah's dad eventually comes around and sets up a little ploy: If she can dogsit this Jack Russell he got, maybe she'll be cut out for dog ownership after all.

Now, being based on a song as this is, there is the worry that it will rest heavily on it but, to the movie's credit, it only comes up towards the end of the movie and even then it's sung by the younger actress playing Mariah. The real Mariah only narrates. You have to wait for the credits for the actual proper Mariah one. There's actually a few different Mariah Christmas songs on the soundtrack, I assume she made them for this movie. Maybe she didn't, I can't be bothered to investigate.

I mean, they're all very bland but hey, it's something original. And there is one semi-decent one, Lil Snowman, if only for the fact that it rips off Johnny Be Good and very slightly My Sharona. It helps too that she's actually singing somewhat normally, a happy middle ground between her usual breathless, whisper singing and the over the top warbling that she does.

Even the dogs in this movie sing!

This movie represents one of the few, if not the only time I've had to break up a viewing into two parts because it is just beyond tedious. It feels like being at a really boring job where you end up clock watching, you look away and you feel like hours of passed but it's actually only been about five minutes.

This could probably have been a 20 minute special but they've padded it out so much to be a feature length presentation. It's just copy and paste throughout the entire thing; someone leaves the back door open, the dog gets out, causes havoc, Mariah has to go get it back.  I honestly lost tr...

SQUIRREL!

Sorry, got distracted there for a second. I honestly lost track of the number of times something was getting into or out of their house because someone left the door open. Forget All I Want for Christmas is You, All I Want for Christmas is a working door latch.

This comes to a head when the squirrels break into the house and mess up the Christmas display. Little Jack tries to get them and even chases them to the fireplace and up the chimney! That's just impossible! A house is gonna be, what, like 20ft hight? And a chimney is gonna extend out slightly more than that. You mean to tell me a dog is going to be able to scale a sheer brick wall that high? What is it doing, wall jumping it's way up?

The closest we come to any sort of dramatic moment involves Mariah's grandfather who is really annoyed with their neighbours extravagant light display. Fancying himself a bit of a prankster, he sets about messing with the display. It starts out innocently enough with him simply unplugging the lights (not the most imaginative of pranks, I must say) before he comes up with a special light bulb. When this bulb is placed anywhere in a string of lights, it stops the entire chain blinking.

But, to truly hide the offending bulb, he climbs the neighbour's roof and plugs it in in a hard to reach spot. Unfortunately, he loses his footing and brings the entire display crashing down and ends up dangiling inches about a pool whilst wrapped in Chrstimas lights. Mariah and her brother are shocked to find him and have to work together to stop him falling and, you know, dying. This movie kicked up a notch all of a sudden!

And in a twist ending that will surprise everyone witnessing it, Mariah ultimately decides that she doesn't need Princess and that she had her perfect dog all along in Jack.

I appreciate this is a kids film and all but I can't even imagine the average 5 year old girl that this is probably aimed at wanting to sit through this garbage for 90 minutes. I was hoping for some weird vanity project I could point and laugh at but it's just dogs and doors, constantly. Just stick to the song, I mean it's no Fairlytale of New York or anything but it's actually enjoyable and not an extended means of torture like this film is.

Even the family dinner looks like something Jack just squeezed out onto the front lawn.

Join me in 2019 for the next in this series as we look at Bing Cosby's White Christmas, maybe the Hollywood version is all about him beating his kids.

[idornaseminary]

Chapter Two-Hundred Nine: Beatrice, Calix, and Mel

Calix listened to the witch-like cackle of the immortal fire, the embers spitting and snapping like tiny dragons dancing beneath a wooden pyre. The fire filled the Den with a comfortable warmth, but the red glare of the flames was a gentle reminder of the dangerous undercurrents swirling just beneath the surface.

Playing with his girlfriend’s hair, her body cuddled close to his as they lay on one of the beds, Calix could feel the knots building in her muscles. She fidgeted in his hold, perpetually looking back and forth between Mel and Enzo, only gazing up into Calix’s eyes when he deliberately attempted to draw her attention away.

He couldn’t blame her. Following his return, Enzo and shared the remainings dregs of his firewhiskey with Natasha, both conversing in low, hushed tones. It was like secret whispers, pacts, and promises that the rest of the company couldn’t hear. It was a thought of nonsense, but drunk Enzo was a bitter prick.  

Mel, on the other hand, had confined herself to the second bed without saying much and privatised her confessions. She hadn’t shared what was eating away at her, but Calix knew something had happened.

Something had rocked his friends - he was just the last person to find out.

Again.

He softly placed a kiss on Beatrice’s head and tried to settle her, gazing across the room at Mel when he heard the cacophonous sound of loud snoring.

“Looks like the man of the hour has tired himself out,” he whispered cheerily. He hoped he could tease some conversation from the two girls - he was slow to call their impromptu gathering a sleepover like Beatrice had born more of necessity rather than pleasure, but he sure as hell wasn't spending the night in silence. He had enough silent nights to last him the rest of his life.

“And dragged someone with him.”

Beatrice propped herself up on her elbows and smiled slightly when she saw Enzo passed out by the window, his jaw hanging agape like somebody left a cookie jar open. She clapped a hand over her mouth, trying to hold in a burst of giggles as the image entered her mind of a cartoon spider spinning a web over Enzo’s mouth, the silky fibrous threads threatening collapse with each gust of alcohol laced breath. She shook her head and shifted her gaze slightly to the chaise where Natasha was curled up by the fire like a cat, the firelight dancing across her dark mane.

Sitting up more and resting against Calix’s side, Beatrice turned towards the other Gestona and bit down on her lip. “Hey, ummm...I’ve gotta tell you something, Mel.”

Mel had quickly made herself comfortable, curling up on the bed with a book and mindlessly thumbing through the pages. She tried her best to ignore Enzo - any attempt at conversation just resulted in hostility anyway.

When she heard Beatrice’s anxious voice, she glanced over, frowning.

“I don’t like that tone, Bea. What’s up?”

She ran her long, slender fingers through her hair, unable to meet her friend’s emerald green eyes. “I can explain Enzo’s behavior, and I really oughta start by saying that it’s all my fault,” she said quietly, letting a sigh out slowly, the air ballooning her cheeks and making her look like a chipmunk.

Mel sat up fully now, cautioning a glance towards Enzo, who was snoring softly in the corner. She said nothing, simply raising an eyebrow as a gesture for her to continue.

Calix glanced quickly at Beatrice, opening his eyes. This is not going to be good news, he thought.

He gripped her tight, giving her ‘boyfriend support’. She knew something they didn’t and Calix could feel the sharp spike of adrenaline begin to thunder in her chest as the truth pestered on the edge of revelation.

“Bea?” he asked softly, “What do you mean your fault? What’s wrong with him? What’s wrong in general?”

She gently patted his hand, hoping to calm him down a little. Ever the medic, he was already on high alert, trying to figure out what the problem was so he could help fix it. And she appreciated it, but right now, Mel needed somebody on her side. “I...ummm..so you remember when you told me about you and Vincent?” Beatrice started out, offering her friend a weak smile, daring to look up at her friend. “You said that you’d tell Enzo when the time was right, but that could mean anything from tomorrow to three months from now really. Anyways, er....Enzo and I were trying to work things out so that we’re not always fighting because we have to have each other’s backs, especially now that we know Ibori is the one behind it all.

“And he said something about you, I can’t even remember what specifically, but he was trying to blame you for something and I said that the kiss with Vincent wasn’t your fault: that he started it and you ended it. I guess all he heard though was that you and Vincent kissed because next thing I know he’s barging out of there like a raging bull ready to shatter a china shop,” she said, rambling on a bit, wringing her fingers. “I’m so sorry, Mel.”

Mel felt all colour drain from her face. She flopped back onto the pillow, squeezing her eyes shut as an icy chill swept through her.

Of course. Of course he knew. That explained everything. She’d worried that might have been the case, but…

“Fuck,” she hissed, lightly tapping her clenched fist against her forehead. “Fuck. Of course.” Sighing, she mustered a smile in Beatrice’s direction. It probably looked more like a grimace. “It’s not your fault. I should have told him.”

Calix’s eyes widened as he listened to Beatrice beside him. What she said shocked him: he certainly was not expecting what he heard.

Vincent had kissed Mel? He had always been overly flirtatious, especially towards Mel, but… it was a step far… wasn’t it?

Too many questions starting crying out for attention, bickering and shouting inside his skull. He quickly forced them down, however. Beatrice’s soft gesture told him that it was Mel who needed the support, and Calix didn’t want her to see the surprise on his face. He swallowed his inquisition and glanced over Beatrice’s shoulder at Enzo.

He was this upset over a kiss?

“So, Vincent…” Calix said, turning back towards Mel. Her skin was a sickly shade of off-white, a colour that pulled at Calix’s heartstrings as a grim smile shone from behind the scrunched up features. “Did he actually kiss you? I mean, he kissed you?”

Mel stared at him, almost wanting to laugh at how dumbfounded he looked. If anything about the situation was remotely funny, she might have.

“I’m pretty sure,” she said flatly. “A bit of an expert on that subject. It was very kisslike.”

“I’m not going to question you on that,” Calix chuckled, realising any attempt at hiding his shock was failing miserably. “But, Enzo’s blowing one kiss a little out of proportion, isn’t he? Vincent kissed you - big deal? Right?”

Calix raised an eyebrow, challenging both the girls. There was something bigger taking root, more than just a single kiss. He could feel it.

Biology never lies.

Beatrice shrugged and laid back down, resting her head on his thigh, batting her eyelashes as she looked up at him. “They haven’t had the talk yet,” she said simply, a small smirk playing on her lips.

Mel groaned, grabbing a throw pillow and burying her face in it. She contemplated screaming to vent her frustrations, but she knew the action would wake Enzo. Sighing, she pulled the pillow away, fixing her eyes on its woven design.

“Not everyone finds this as easy as the two of you. I’ve never done this before. I’ve never really been in a serious relationship before if that’s even what this is. Enzo certainly isn’t giving me any tips.”

“It’s not easy,” Calix said, chidingly placing his fingers to Beatrice’s lips and giving her a playful, cautionary glance. Not another word, his warning seemed to say.

“Relationships are never easy. Bea and I, well, we got lucky. The pieces fell into their rightful place fast. But, that doesn’t mean it was all smooth sailing. There were twists and turns and bumps. We got through it all though - which is why it looks easy. We work damn hard to make it so.”

The sudden shift in Mel was palpable, and Calix missed the old Mel quite quickly. She looked completely different: her Horatian humour was gone; the defensive, Juvenalian commentary dropped; and a vulnerability shone through that Calix hadn’t seen before. She was potentially falling, or had fallen, for someone - otherwise, why would she care what he thought about a kiss and why would he drink himself into a senseless stupor over who she kissed?

“I’ll talk to Enzo in the morning,” Calix said, almost laughing at the suggestion. “Give him those tips you need.”

Mel smiled at him. What a guy.

“Thank you, Calix. Don’t go out of your way, though. It might not do you any good.”

Beatrice chuckled quietly and swatted his hand away, smiling up at her boyfriend. “She’s right. Look what happened when I tried to help,” she said, lifting her head to look at Enzo who was loudly snoring in the corner with a pillow clutched tightly in his strong arms.

“I’m sorry,” Mel said, feeling a pang in her chest. It was only now she realized he must have taken a chunk of his anger out on Beatrice. “I know you two don’t get along to begin with. If he got mad at you because of something I did…”

“Nonsense. He’s all bark and no bite,” the Samoan witch insisted, waving her hand around in the air. “And if you went around apologizing everytime he yelled at somebody...well, it might just be easier to move in with me,” she teased. “It’s not your fault, Mel, and since then we’ve actually stopped fighting.”

“Okay…” Mel nodded, feeling something like resolve spring up inside of her. She settled further down onto her pillow, her fingers brushing the cover of her book.

“Mel move in with you?” Calix asked, a theatrical and mockingly hurt look in his eyes, “What does that make me, sweetheart, the space filler?”

“Of course not! The Observatory’s got five bedrooms in it. So that’s one for Ry, one for Mel, one for you and me, and we’ve still got two left over for guests or dogs or something,” she said, counting them all off on her fingers. “And anyway, Mel’s also a Gestona so it’d look a lot less suspicious for her to move in with me now than you.”

“I’m touched,” said Mel, eyes twinkling. “That sounds really nice. Honestly, once this is all over, I’m probably going to hole up in my dad’s cottage and never come out. Or live at sea on his boat.”

Calix tenderly tickled Beatrice as he slipped his legs out from underneath her head, pulling the corner of the blanket down over her as he stood up, his knees groaning as the joints folded and unfolded.

“Well, if you ever do decide to come back to see us landlubbers, Mel, you’ll always have a place to rest your head at Bea’s. Heck, even mine,” Calix smiled, crossing the room to the fire. He looked down into the glowing flames, the pale rays of moonlight competing with the golden firelight on the blackened hearth, and contemplated how easy it would be to make a cup of tea without a teapot.

As he thought, thinking how pleasant a sugary tea would be, he glanced back over his shoulder. He looked at the girls, glancing at the snoring pair at the other end of the Den, and finally at the swirling mist of maroon tendrils that crept along the walls. And, it was getting late - Bea and Mel deserved some rest. “I’ll take the watch tonight, you two relax and get some sleep.”

Beatrice nodded and pulled the red silk sheets on the bed back, sliding between them. “Let me know when you’re ready for me to take over,” she said, pulling the pillows from the other side of the bed behind her back to compensate for his absence.

Mel followed suit, sliding beneath the covers and feeling sleep quickly creep up on her.

“What Bea said,” she said, yawning loudly.

Wishing both of them goodnight, Calix turned back to the fire, the joints in his fingers popping as he drew symbols into the rising air by his hips. The fog, dancing along the walls, the floor, and the ceiling, answered his call, thickening as his protective spells took hold.

He had no intention of waking any of them. He slept very little at night. If anyone had to take the night shift, Calix was the one who was most used to working through the small hours and most suitable to keep them safe while they slept.

Ibori…

It was all his fault...

He best watch his back.